Acts 18:20

When they asked him to stay with them a longer time, he declined;

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

When they asked him to stay with them a longer time, he declined;

BSB

When they asked him to stay for a while longer, he declined.

KJV

When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

ASV

And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not;

BBE

And being requested by them to be there for a longer time, he said, No;

Original Greek

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ἐρωτώντων erōtōntōn When are asking G2065 δὲ de now G1161 αὐτῶν autōn they G846 ἐπὶ epi for [him] G1909 πλείονα pleiona a longer G4119 χρόνον chronon time G5550 μεῖναι meinai to remain G3306 παρ par᾽ with G3844 αὐτοῖς autois them G846 οὐκ ouk not G3756 ἐπένευσεν epeneusen he did consent G1962

The early church

"When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; but bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem." Therefore it was that he was hindered from coming into Asia, being impelled to what was of pressing moment. Thus observe him here, entreated (by them) to stay, but because he could not comply, being in haste to depart, "he bade them farewell." However, he did not leave them without more ado, but with promise (to return): "But I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus."
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Acts

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 18–23

While Paul found he laboured not in vain, he continued labouring. Our times are in God's hand; we purpose, but he disposes; therefore we must make all promises with submission to the will of God; not only if providence permits, but if God does not otherwise direct our motions. A very good refreshment it is to a faithful minister, to have for awhile the society of his brethren. Disciples are compassed about with infirmity; ministers must do what they can to strengthen them, by directing them to Christ, who is their Strength. Let us earnestly seek, in our several places, to promote the cause of Christ, forming plans that appear to us most proper, but relying on the Lord to bring them to pass if he sees good.

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Cross-references

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Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.